Community Therapists offer a new service

Patients recovering from a stroke or brain injury can now benefit from specialist rehabilitation services at home thanks to a donation from the Friends of St Cross.

Katherine Thomas, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust Physiotherapist with the Early Supported Discharge Team based in the Orchard Centre, explained “Patients who have had a stroke or brain injury may not recover the use of muscles in their limbs for some time. The devices donated by the Friends are used to stimulate and help to retrain the control of the muscles. Patients are shown how to use the device in their home and can have one on loan for six weeks in order to assess progress. This is particularly helpful for patients who cannot lift their toes to clear the ground as they walk and so are at risk of falling. Unfortunately not all patients will recover the full use of the muscles affected but this device certainly can make a real difference.”

Maureen, a patient who lives in Rugby, said “It took a little bit of time to get used to the tingles going up my arm but thanks to Katherine and her help with this machine I am beginning to recover some movement in my wrist and fingers.”

Willy Goldschmidt, Chairman of the Friends of St Cross, said “We were delighted to help Katherine develop this service which was only previously available in the Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital and so not readily available to patients in Rugby.”

Photo: Local resident Maureen rests her arm on her favourite Elvis cushion while Physiotherapist Katherine sets up the stimulator!